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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Having Sciatica. Strange Feeling In Leg. Severe Anxiety Treated With Prozac And Zolpidem. Back/spine X-rays Shows Slight Cartilage Degeneration In The Lumbar Spine. Suggestion

I have a very strange feeling in my left leg. It feels slightly swollen and the skin feels strange....almost like it is tight. The skin is not numb and there is not significant pain in the leg. and my calf has a dull ache which has lasted for a few days. I have had sciatica for the last 10 years or so, but those episodes are usually in the upper thigh to knee area and are very painful for a few weeks. I used to be an avid runner and I rain stairs quite often..this is actually when the sciatica pain started originally. I am a 28 year old female in decent shape. I have no other physical symptoms, but I do have severe anxiety which has been treated with Prozac and also Zolpidem (for anxiety related sleeping problems), but I have been off both for a year. I am having horrible anxiety about the feeling in my leg, but it is difficult for me to describe to a physician. Do you think I should have additional tests? I have only had back/spine x-rays which revealed slight cartilage degeneration in the lumbar spine. Anyways, what kind of doctor should I see at this point?
posted on Sat, 18 May 2013
Twitter Sun, 19 May 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 20 May 2013 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi there ~

I understand your concerns. I think you may be having neuropathic pain from having chronic sciatica. Having such a problem can have a damaging effect on your psyche and since you used to be an avid runner it can be depressing to be in the situation that you are currently. I am sure there are medications that can be altered to get your anxiety under control (i.e. increase the dose of your prozac), however you need to consult a psychiatrist in the first place. I also think that you might benefit from getting a TSH done so as to rule out other causes for your anxiety/depression that are medical in nature. I hope you are consulting a good orthopedic doctor or a rheumatologist for your joint/bone problems. I hope this helps.

Take care and have a lovely day!
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Having Sciatica. Strange Feeling In Leg. Severe Anxiety Treated With Prozac And Zolpidem. Back/spine X-rays Shows Slight Cartilage Degeneration In The Lumbar Spine. Suggestion

Hi there ~ I understand your concerns. I think you may be having neuropathic pain from having chronic sciatica. Having such a problem can have a damaging effect on your psyche and since you used to be an avid runner it can be depressing to be in the situation that you are currently. I am sure there are medications that can be altered to get your anxiety under control (i.e. increase the dose of your prozac), however you need to consult a psychiatrist in the first place. I also think that you might benefit from getting a TSH done so as to rule out other causes for your anxiety/depression that are medical in nature. I hope you are consulting a good orthopedic doctor or a rheumatologist for your joint/bone problems. I hope this helps. Take care and have a lovely day!